May 25, 2005

university update

It has been another wonderful week here at the U of B-SC. Go Puffins!

AKMA has been at it again with all the thinking. I wonder how he does it. This time he is looking at a variety of ways to dissent. He appears to be wondering which, if any, are actually helpful and facilitate dialogue. It is an interesting thread.

Dylan has yet to post her reflections about the approaching Sunday lectionary. I was kind of hoping she would have by now. I am preaching at North Shore this Sunday and could use the help. My how preaching on Memorial Day is difficult. My how I wish that the pastors would stay in town. My. There are only so many times I can wear a pith helmet in the pulpit. [Dylan has posted her reflections! Huzzah! Now, someone find her a job, okay?]

Cliff has posted these words from Metropolitan PHILIP.

After thirty-nine years in the Episcopacy, I have become convinced that Orthodox unity in America must begin on the grass roots level. You, the laity, and in particular the young adult laity, are the conscience of the Church and the defenders of the faith. Consequently, I would like to see a strong Pan-Orthodox lay movement, totally dedicated to the cause of Orthodox unity. Insist that the unity of our Faith must transcend all other interests. Insist that we silence those forces that would divide us. Insist that we witness our Faith to North America without boundaries. Without the laity, our churches would be empty and our liturgical and sacramental services would be in vain. The clergy and laity, working together, are the “LAOS TOU THEOU,” the “People of God” and together we constitute the Holy Orthodox Church.
A Pan Orthodox lay movement is just the ticket. The same can be said for any ecumenical effort. To some degree those of us in leadership at the so-called top of ecclesial structures often lose sight of the actual landscape. Unity, ecumenism, reconciliation is the work of the hands and hearts of the laity. If it is left up to us clerical types, it will drown in committee. Preach, PHILIP! Preach!

Jane has learned a thing or two about medicine lately. Larry is working on a movie. Susie saw a bird...an omen, I believe. Rosy-fingered dawn had he hand in it. Sunni has been meditating on American Idol. Carrie clinched it last night...but Bo has been sure and steady. I tell ya, I am hooked. Riiight.

Micah has reviewed a couple of books. The Chief Blogging Officer has been thinking too much again. Someone has criticized the reading of Wikipedia or something like that. The Queen of All Evil wants to know how we all define patriotism. It is an interesting question. How do you?

And, finally, blogging is posing workplace issues. Who knew? Well, I have to go to a meeting now. Work calls. I will see you all later. Go Puffins!!

Posted by tripp at May 25, 2005 12:25 PM
Comments

Sorry the lectionary reflection was so late. Things have been wacky with a capital WACKY at work -- both clergy at the parish left simultaneously (not surprising, since they're married to each other), and in the space between the old clergy leaving and the interim rector (senior pastor) arriving, the parish's governing board decided to eliminate my position. So, if you know of any congregations that need an assistant, feel free to send them to my site!

Posted by: Sarah Dylan Breuer at May 25, 2005 04:51 PM

You worry about Orthodoxy but get your material from a lesbian who wants to be a priest? Do you see the contradiction? How comitted to Orthodoxy are you?

Posted by: fearing retribution for stating the obvious at May 25, 2005 09:37 PM

"Fearing":

Tripp can answer that more directly himself. But I will say that my friend is an ordained pastor in the American Baptist Churches. Thus he is not (capital-o) Orthodox. His commitment to Orthodoxy thus is not as one who is Orthodox, but as one who would like to see Orthodox succeed in the things he can, in good conscience, affirm. Pan-Orthodox unity, he thinks, is a good thing. He affirms it.

I would also say of my friend that I think there is this dark corner in him somewhere that wants to be Orthodox (or maybe Anglo-Catholic), but he likes being the heretical semi-liberal Baptist too much to pay much attention to it. *dutifully removes tongue from cheek*

Finally, the lesbian to whom you refer is one of Tripp's friends. Whatever may be said on the issue of same sex attraction, same sex behavior and same sex unions, for those of us who find ourselves at odds with certain advocates, incarnating our beliefs and principles in relation with real live human beings is going to involve a truckload of love, respect and tact. Tripp can articulate his own beliefs on these matters, but I, for one, see no reason why linking to a lesbian friend while cheering on the Orthodox is necessarily in contradiction. It is, admittedly, rather surprising to find both in one post, but only because we have allowed certain stereotypical paradigms to infiltrate our expectations.

I, for one, think it entirely possible, indeed, necessary, to both hate what is sin and love the one who sins--especially since there is no one who doesn't sin. Including most especially my sorry self.

Posted by: Clifton D. Healy at May 26, 2005 05:52 AM

Wow, Cliff. Thanks. It is early and I am not sure I would have said that so well.

Welcome to the church...as we work our our own salvation with fear and trembling, let us pray for one another. Agnus dei, miserere mei.

Dylan, are you interested in moving to Chicago? There may be something here if you ask nicely. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayer...and keep my ear to the ground. I know some faculty at CDSP...and someone in the Cathedral offices in SF. Mayeb something will pop up.

Posted by: Tripp at May 26, 2005 07:14 AM

Tripp, I'm curious. You keep using the phrase "fear and trembling." What's up with that?

Posted by: Megan at May 26, 2005 10:15 AM

Megan, it is a scriptural reference. It is something that Paul said that I actually like. Our salvation is serious business...no small thing...and usually a lot of work.

Usually.

Posted by: Tripp at May 26, 2005 12:02 PM

"It is something that Paul said that I actually like." Better you than me, brother. ;-)

Does everything that's a lot of work evoke fear & trembling on your part?

I love things that are a lot of work. I love working hard at huge things, calling up my resources in service of a larger effort or goal, personal or held by a group. It doesn't evoke "fear & trembling," more like a lip-smacking, delicious "Bring it on!"

Posted by: Megan at May 26, 2005 03:08 PM

Well, when my soul is at stake, I try to take it seriously. ;-)

Posted by: Tripp at May 27, 2005 08:35 AM

Was there something in my comment that suggested I wasn't taking the thread, or myself, or you, seriously, Tripp?

I assure you I'm serious. But "serious" does not equal "fear and trembling."

Posted by: Megan at May 27, 2005 10:21 AM

Hardly, Megan. I was not questioning your seriousness.

What I am sugegsting is that our salvation is that important, that we should approach it with care and seriousness...with fear and trembling...because it is a fragile thing and not easily controled or lived into.

That is my experience at least.

Posted by: Tripp at May 27, 2005 11:00 AM

So for you, "care and seriousness" equals "fear and trembling." For me, it does not. Semantics strikes again!

Posted by: Megan at May 27, 2005 11:58 AM

Indeed they do! Dern Semantics.

Yeah, I like that line from Paul. It speaks of sincerity and care in my own salvation and the salvation (read: emotional/spiritual growth and well being) of firend, family and to those whom I minister. I tread lightly not because am fearful of attack or something like that but because I see people broken, breaking or about to break every day. I have become more careful.

Posted by: Tripp at May 27, 2005 12:51 PM